Boost to war on drugs as 18 new forensic analysts hired

By MYGOV Reporter

The war on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances has received a major boost after more officers were deployed to support the Government Chemist in forensic analysis.

The 18 new officers were gazetted as designated analysts by Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Hon Kipchumba Murkomen.

It is the highest number of officers authorised at once as analysts at the Government Chemist in the recent past.

This means that the Government Chemist will now have more than 80 specialists in the areas of sampling, analysis, certification of analysis and destruction of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The newly designated officers include Jane Nafula Kisutia, Dorcus Nzilani Muthusi, Jackson K. Siele, Paul Bwora Wahoye, Jerusha Waithera Mugo, Salvine Cheruto Katukoi, Godwin Khamala Waliama, David Kiara Muthomi and Mercy Nkarye Runya.

Others are Catherine Mbete Nzuve, Hemed Abeid Munis, Khadija Abdullahi Boya, Alexander Mbae Mburia, Luge Victoria Kiugha, Beth Purity Makena Gitonga. Christine Naserian Kudate, Felista Kairithi Henry and Crispin Njeru Nguru.

They have been designated as specialist analysts after working under the tutelage of experienced officers for a period – normally more than five years.

The officers are now allowed to take samples of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, analyse them and provide certificates confirming that they have examined them.

Government Chemist, William Munyoki (pictured), said the officers are qualified to testify in a court of law and provide credible evidence on seizure, analysis and destruction of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

“Before officers are designated as analysts by the Cabinet Secretary, they undergo various specialised training and work under experienced personnel for a period of time,” Mr Munyoki said.

Mr Munyoki said the analysts had been trained in various countries, including Austria, Finland, Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The analysts at the Government Chemist also aid in the crackdown of clandestine laboratories supporting the illegal manufacture of banned drugs and substances.

For example, they were involved in the closure of two clandestine laboratories manufacturing the banned methamphetamine in Namanga and Ruiru in the recent past.

Headquartered in Nairobi, the Government Chemist is the country’s Central Forensic Science and Analytical Testing Laboratory for the Republic of Kenya.

It has regional cluster testing centres in Mombasa, Kisumu and Marsabit. The institution is tasked with the responsibility of providing forensic science and analytical laboratory services to the criminal justice system, the public and environmental health systems.